Sunday, October 15, 2006

guilt

I haven't been posting much lately for a few reasons, but I've still been getting various folks sending me music to listen to. Unfortunately, for many of the same reasons I haven't been posting, I haven't been listening to this music either, so it's been piling up in my e-mail box.

Which...leads to today's post.

I feel guilty that people are taking the time to send me their music (and some even going the extra mile to include my name or the name of this blog in their e-mail) and it's just sitting in internet limbo. I have sincere respect for folks with musical aspirations that keep pushing onward even in spite of the sisyphean nature of the music biz. So I'm attempting to make ammends with this post. I apologize to these folks for not taking more time to post on them individually.



Can Joann

This quartet hails from Chapel Hill and has been around since 2004, when they released their first EP, Aiden Grace. The group released their first full-length album, Hurt People Hurt People, earlier this year. If you are anywhere near Durham, NC on the 19th, you can check them out at the Durham Music Festival.

Can Joann - After the Seizure's Gone : Hurt People Hurt People

Can Joann - Indecision's Way : Hurt People Hurt People

Can Joann - Lady Luck : Aiden Grace EP

Check out their website or become their friend on MySpace.



Brett Dennan

I'll be honest with you, when I checked out Brett's website, I didn't expect such a young face looking back at me. Listening to Brett's second album, So Much More (which comes out on the 17th), is a very mello, soothing experience with a sound which feels like a worldly traveller sharing his lessons with us. Brett's going to be touring with Sheryl Crow and John Mayer, but don't let that scare you into thinking Brett's music is cookie-cutter tunes made for your parents.

Brett Dennen - Darlin' Do Not Fear : So Much More

Brett Dennen - I Asked When : So Much More

Become Brett's friend on MySpace.

Monday, October 09, 2006

the Midas touch

"The name started somewhere on a European tour I did with Elliott Smith. I can't remember," Sullivan says, thinking about how he earned the nickname that would quickly become his band's name. "Elliott said a little joke thing like, 'Hey Goldenboy.' Then (Smith's drummer) Scott McPherson's sister, Lisa, was booking a show in L.A. and they needed another band. Scott remembered me and told Lisa I was Goldenboy. Ever since then I've been Goldenboy." -Shon Sullivan

With a name inspired by Elliott Smith, any band is off to a good start. Then you add the fact that they toured with him...well, how can you go wrong?

Goldenboy's first full length release, Underneath the Radio, hit music store shelves last week. It shows signs of Elliott's influence as well as containing a hint of Belle & Sebastian in my ears as well as being reminiscent of Luna (don't ask me where I pulled that out of...it's been a while since I've listened to much Luna, but for some reason they popped into my mind upon listening to this album). The album is a lush, smooth collection of 12 songs that flow nicely together, yet have individual character of their own.


Goldenboy - Goodbye Erica : Underneath the Radio

Goldenboy - Underneath the Radio : Underneath the Radio

Become a Golden-friend at MySpace.

Check out their webpage.

Some other golden tunes:

Bright Eyes - Going for the Gold : Oh Holy Fools - The Music of Son, Ambulance, and Bright Eyes

Kanye West - Gold Digger : Late Registration

The Kinks - Heart of Gold : Come Dancing With The Kinks - The Best Of The Kinks

Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger (James Bond theme)
: Rock Is Dead, But It Won't Lie Down